Page:A critical and exegetical commentary on Genesis (1910).djvu/476

 extremely fertile (Robinson, BR, ii. 154; Palmer, Des. of Ex. ii. 430 f.; cf. Buhl, Edomiter, 15 f.). Buhl accordingly thinks the curse refers only to the barren plateau W of the Arabah; and this is perhaps better than (with Nö. Dri.) to assimilate the terms of the blessing and the curse.

It is probable that J's narrative contained a form of the curse on Esau, but whether any part is preserved in $39f.$ is doubtful. $39$ is certainly from the same source as $28$ (E); with regard to $40a$ the question stands open.—On the metre, see again Sievers, i. 404 f., ii. 78 f., 317. Ba.'s denial of metrical form is based wholly on the doubtful $40b$.

41-45. Esau's purpose of revenge.—41. Esau cherished enmity (50$15$) against Jacob.—the days of mourning (50$10$)] a period of seven days, within which Esau hoped to accomplish his revenge.—42. Thy brother is going to take satisfaction of thee (Is. 1$24$, Ezk. 5$13$) by killing thee.—44, 45. a few days till he forget] reckoning on Esau's well-known instability, and at the same time making light of the trial of separation.—bereaved of you both] The writer has in view the custom of blood-revenge (cf. 2 Sa. 14$7$), though in the case supposed there would be no one to execute it.

XXVII. 46-XXVIII. 9.—Isaac's Charge to Jacob (P).

This short section records the only action attributed to Isaac in the Priestly Code. Two facts are taken over from the earlier tradition (JE): Isaac's blessing of Jacob, and Jacob's visit to Mesopotamia. But the unedifying stories of Jacob's treachery, which were the essential link of connexion between them, are here omitted; and a new motive is introduced, viz., the inadmissibility of intermarriage with the inhabitants of Canaan. By transgressing this unwritten law, Esau forfeits his title to the 'blessing of Abraham,' which is thus transferred to Jacob; and Jacob's flight is transformed into an honourable mission in search of a wife. The romantic interest of Jacob's love-story (ch. 29) is largely

43. ] G + .—44 f. ] as 29$20$, Dn. 11$20$; ct. Gn. 11$1$.— and are obviously doublets, though there are no data for assigning either to its proper source. G runs both together: .